In an unusual move amid Trenton's summer doldrums, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called a special session of the state legislature Thursday to consider changes to the state's bail system.

Mr. Christie, along with some Democrats and Republicans in the legislature and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, said the state's bail system should take into account the safety risk a defendant poses to the public rather than the ability to pay. And the governor is pushing a constitutional amendment that allows some...